Author's note: Thank you for all your continued support thus far, I really enjoy reading your reviews so please keep them coming! I am quite excited about this chapter, it took me a little over a week to write it. I've never been the type to really agonize over what I write, but this chapter was a doozy :P. Anyway... Happy reading!

Chapter IV. - It's Just A Dream...Right?

Sunshine streamed across her pillow, making her face feel warm. Her eyelids lazily fluttered open, she yawned as she stretched her arms above her head. Looking around at the seemingly familiar wallpaper of a gentleman's top hat. She snapped awake, realizing where she was, "Still at Hatter's mansion," she mumbled, "I thought I would've woken up from this crazy dream by now." Peevishly shoving the comforter away and sliding up off the bed, she stood and brushed out her dress. "Goodness, why must I be in the habit of always falling asleep in my clothes?" Her mind felt fuzzy, which irritated her no end because it seemed like she was forgetting something important...again. "Well, no use fussing over it, I guess I should go and say good morning to Blood and the others."

Opening her room door she stepped out into the hallway and headed to the dining hall, where she knew she would find the others having breakfast. As always, they were all seated at the ridiculously long dining table; Blood was seated at the head with Elliot at his right, the Twins were at the other end and making quite a commotion. As soon as she entered, Blood stood and addressed her exactly as the head of the household should, "Good morning, Miss Alice. I trust you slept well?" he said with a hint of concern. "Yes, I guess," she replied as a faceless maid drew a chair for her on the other side of Blood. She sat down and thanked the maid as she poured her tea and placed a plate in front of her.

There was a buffet on the center of the table with an array of foods; on the side was a tray of toast. Alice decided on the toast and took a slice, then sipped her tea. "How do you like it?" Blood asked. If she knew him as well as she thought she did, this was more of a test than actually wanting to know whether she liked it or not. "Hmmm..." she started, pondering over the last week's selection of teas he'd had her try. Blood was looking intently on her now; she could feel the intensity of his stare. "'Hmmm'?" he mocked, obviously writhing in his seat trying not blurt out the answer.

"I'm thinking," she said, exasperated. "It's a delicate aroma, but the flavor is quite robust - a hint of rose..." Alice enjoyed seeing him squirm, "Is it...Paul et Virginie?" Elliot thumped his fist on the table, "Ha! See Blood? You've met your match. Alice knows everything about everything, right Alice?" He said looking at her with cheerful glee. Blood had looked away from her; his expression was that of delighted satisfaction.

"Oh no, Elliot. There are many things I don't know. I merely guessed the right answer this time," Alice said humbly, not wanting Blood to think she would take advantage of this small victory. "In that case, if you are done with your breakfast, will you accompany me to the gardens, young lady," Blood's low voice rumbled as he took her hand and breathed the words over her skin, very lightly pecking it. Her cheeks flushed nervously; it's not that she didn't want to be alone with him; she just thought she would be safer if the others were present.

Still, she couldn't refuse him, "Yes, of course," she answered as they simultaneously stood up from the dining table. Blood offered his arm and she took it, the two sauntering off towards a pair of elegantly crafted French doors the led to the gardens. With a nod to the faceless butler standing by, the man opened the doors for them, bowing low as Blood passed. Leading her out onto the back lawn, they continued down a narrow wooden path to what she knew to be his secret rose garden. She and Vivaldi had once sat together there for afternoon tea, Vivaldi remarking on her brother's feelings towards her. At the time, she had still felt that Blood disliked her for being an Outsider, but now...

"Alice," he started, drawing her attention back to the present, he let go of her arm and stepped in front of her, making her stop. Looking down at her, a tepid smile playing on his lips. When he felt he had her attention, he asked, "So, you have stayed with us for a while now," he began, "what do you think of my home?" Alice bit her lip; a sign that he knew she was confused. It was a habit of hers that he adored. "Well," she started, "I am very grateful to you for allowing me to live...here...and I really like my room - it's very pretty!"

He gave a soft chuckle; he could tell she was being cautious, "That's not what I meant, although that's all well and good," he remarked. A soft breeze disturbed her blonde tresses, wafting her scent to his nose. He brought up his hand to brush her bangs from out of her eyes. His action made her look up at him, their eyes locking for a few blissful moments.

"You know...Alice... It is not my custom to invite young ladies here. Of that I'm sure you are aware," he said, gentle caressing her upturned mouth with his gloved fingers. "It is also not my custom to follow dangerous mafia bosses to secluded rose gardens," she retorted.

Blood brought his hand down, he laughed, bemused by her coy attitude. To his surprise, Alice stood up on her tiptoes and gently placed a kiss on his cheek, "That's to show my gratitude for your hospitality." With that, she turned away from him to try and make a getaway while he was still frozen where he stood. However, before she could get three paces from him, she felt his hand grab her wrist and turn her back around to face him. "There's something else you can do to show your gratitude," his breath was hot against her face, "Become my lover."

God he loved how she squirmed against him, he could almost hear her heart beating wildly in her chest. Alice stared at him, dumbfounded; what on earth was he talking about? She had taken heed of what Vivaldi had said about Blood liking her, but she thought it was more of the kind of liking that kept him from trying to strangle her again, not anything romantic. Growing a little impatient for her answer, Blood encircled his arms around her waist, drawing them closer, "I am not one who is used to waiting, young- Alice," he added with a smirk. Seeing the turmoil in her eyes, he inched his face nearer to hers, their breath intermingling.

"But, but-" Alice stuttered looking away from him, blushing, "I'm not sure... - I don't know why you're asking me this...all of a... sudden." She looked down feeling self-conscious, "Then," Blood began, "why don't you let me decide for you," he finished as he leaned in to gently press his lips against hers. It was a long kiss; Blood was holding her so close that she could scarcely breathe - as if she could breathe anyway.

She accepted his lips for the first time, not struggling or fighting to push him off. He felt her settle against him, actually bringing her hands to his back; reciprocating his kiss. He decided to deepen it, slowly opening her mouth with the tip of his tongue. Surprising him again as she allowed him entry, he began exploring the inside of her mouth, tasting her. Then he pulled his tongue out and gave her a soft peck to end the exchange, "I guess I have your answer," he stated.

"Blood," Alice breathed. "Yes, my sweet?" He asked, tilting her chin upwards so he could gaze directly into her eyes. "I can't," she said bluntly. His eyebrow arched, "You can't what," his voice was flat. Her hands had dropped from his back and she stood there desperately trying to hold her ground. "Be your lover, Blood, I just don't see myself in that role – with you or anyone else for that matter." Dropping her chin, he folded his arms across his chest and gave a long sigh of displeasure, "And here I thought things were going well." He started to walk away.

"Wait!" Alice called after him, the feeling of dread enveloping her almost entirely. He paused, but did not turn around. He let out another sigh, "Yes…?" Clenching her hands tightly together, Alice stepped forward towards him. Her body felt heavy, each step feeling as though a weight was tied to each foot, pulling her down. Just a moment ago she had experienced such an extraordinary emotion with Blood, but now it was fading – fast. She knew she wasn't ready to be with Blood, but she also wanted to give it a chance. She stepped in front of him, facing him straight on.

"It's not that I don't want to," she started, looking deep into his spectacularly blue eyes, "I'm…just…" Her voice trailed off to an inaudible whisper. "Just what," said Blood, inching closer to her once more, that devilishly confident smile had returned. He lifted his hand to brush a tear falling from the corner of her eye; she hadn't even noticed. She was losing her resolve to tell him exactly what she felt, "Afraid that you're not taking this seriously; afraid that this is just some kind of game to you; afraid- Mph!" Blood stopped her by sweeping her up into his arms for a passionate kiss.

His lips locked onto hers in a feverish embrace, almost crushing her body into his. He didn't want her to utter another word. He could sense her uneasiness and fragility, but also her determination to talk herself out of being with him. Like hell he'd give her the chance. After a time, he felt her relax and he took the opportunity to say what was on his mind, "I don't give a damn about your pathetic, little excuses." Alice stared up at him, taken aback, "And I don't care whether or not you think I'm treating you unfairly. I don't care if you still think about that half-assed slip of a man who chose your sister instead of you, or if I share the same face." He cupped both his hands on either side of Alice's face as fresh tears cascaded down her cheeks.

"The only thing I care about," he said as he leaned in, touching his forehead to hers "is making you happy." As it dawned on her what meaning behind his words were, she reached up and pulled him into a deep kiss. Not caring about what to call this, whatever this was, she allowed herself to finally let go of herself. But in the back of her mind she couldn't help but wonder...

This is a dream…right?